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WM/Reuters

Spot & Forward Rates


Methodology Guide
SSGX Information Solutions |

BENCHMARK STATEMENT
The World Markets Company plc ('WM') provides an exchange rate
service that publishes Spot, Forward and Non Deliverable Forward
benchmark rates at fixed times throughout the global trading day.
Since its inception in 1994, WM has been committed to publishing
independent and transparent benchmark rates which, based on its
methodology, it believes are reasonably designed to be reflective of
the market at the time of each fix. As part of its normal business
practices, WM routinely reviews its policies and practices against
appropriate international foreign exchange FX benchmark
regulations and guidance, in particular the IOSCO Principles.
SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 History

The WM/Reuters Closing Spot Rates service was introduced in 1994


to provide a standard set of currency benchmark rates so that
portfolio valuations could be compared with each other and their
performance measured against benchmarks without having any
differences caused by exchange rates. These rates were adopted by
index compilers, the Financial Times and other users and became
the de facto standard for Closing Spot Rates on a global basis.
In 1997, the WM/Reuters Closing Forward Rates service was
launched to complement the Closing Spot Rates service.
In 2001, the WM/Reuters Intraday Spot Rate service was launched
to extend the Spot rates product and meet customers growing
requirements. This service has since expanded to provide hourly
spot rates from Monday 06:00 in Hong Kong/Singapore until Friday
22:00 in the UK.
In August 2004, Intraday Forwards were launched at 08:00, 10:00,
12:00 and 14:00 UK time. Further enhancements have since seen
this extended to an hourly service from 06:00 21:00 UK time with
additional rates provided at 17:00 New York time, 10:00 and 16:00
Sydney time, 14:00 New Zealand time, 11:00 Singapore time and
11:00 Bangkok time.
In September 2009, the WM/Reuters Non Deliverable Forwards
(NDF) Rates were launched covering 12 currencies. The NDF
service provides both Closing and Intraday Rates.
In September 2012, WM/Reuters Intraday Spot Rates service was
further enhanced by the introduction of half-hourly fixes for the trade
currencies only.
In June 2014, WM/Reuters Spot Rates service was enhanced to
include the WM/Reuters Tokyo Fix covering 24 currencies against
JPY, USD, GBP and EUR.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section 1 Introduction .......................................................... 1

1.1 History
1.2 Uses of the Rates
1.3 Key Points

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2
2

Section 2 WM/Reuters Spot Rates

2.1 Coverage
2.2 Timing
2.3 Sourcing
2.4 Calculation Method
2.4.1 Non-Trade Currencies
2.4.2 Trade Currencies
2.4.3 Local Close Currencies
2.5 Spot Rate Products
2.6 Coverage of Closing and Intraday Spot Rates
2.7 Coverage of Tokyo Fix

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3
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4
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4
5
5
6
7

Section 3 WM/Reuters Forward Rates ................................. 8

3.1 Coverage
3.2 Timing
3.3 Sourcing
3.4 Calculation Method
3.4.1 Local Close Currencies
3.5 Forward Rate Products
3.6 Coverage of Forward Rates

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9
10

Section 4 WM/Reuters NDF Rates..... 11

4.1 Coverage
4.2 Timing
4.3 Sourcing
4.4 Calculation Method
4.5 NDF Rate Products
4.6 Coverage of NDF Rates

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Section 5 The Spot & Forward Rates ................................ 12

5.1 Policy on National Holidays


5.2 Disruption to Service
5.3 Disruption to FX Services
5.4 Cessation
5.5 Complaints Procedure
5.6 Republication of Rates
5.7 Changes to Methodology and Service
5.8 Delivery Methods

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Section 6 Cross Calculations ............................................ 14

6.1 Crossed Spot Rates


6.1.1 For Currencies Quoted in Units to USD
6.1.2 For Currencies Quoted in USD per Unit
6.1.3 For Currencies Quoted in Units to EUR
6.2 EMU Legacy Spot Rates
6.3 Crossed Forward Rates
6.4 EMU Legacy Forward Rates
6.5 Crossed NDF Rates

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Data Sourcing

1.2 Uses of the Rates

We believe the majority of the main equity and bond index


compilers use the WM/Reuters exchange rates in their
calculations, and the original uses of the rates in portfolio
valuations and performance measurement are still very relevant.
However, other uses of the rates have developed and are
becoming increasingly important. For example, many customers
now use the rates as a bench-mark for currencies in contracts
of

different

kinds including

the settlement of financial

derivatives. Many banks will now provide a service to their


customers whereby they will guarantee to trade certain currency
pairs at, or by reference to, the WM/Reuters rates which is
useful for investment customers if they are making changes to
a portfolio bench-marked against an index that uses the
WM/Reuters rates, and seeks to minimize any reconciliation
differences from foreign exchange. Corporate users will find
that it is very useful to value currency holdings held globally at
a common rate, and if necessary, swap or trade them at the
same rate. Using WM/Reuters rates in this way can avoid using
expensive resources to check the market continually. Auditors
accept the WM/Reuters rates as independently fixed.

WM undertakes a periodic review of the appropriateness


of using specific data suppliers to provide the data used in
the calculation and validation of the benchmark rates.
This review is intended to, among other things, assist in
ensuring that the benchmark rates are (i) based on
reliable and observable market data that reflect the
economic realities of a given market, and (ii) that the
benchmark rates themselves are reliable representations
of the foreign exchange market.
There is no solicitation process to obtain underlying data,
either by panel or by polling in the benchmark calculation
process. WM uses transactional data entered into on an at
arms length basis between buyers and sellers in that
market, where that data is available and reflects sufficient
liquidity.
In a market where lower liquidity exists the benchmark
may be based predominantly or exclusively on bid and
offer rates, or from prior transactions.

1.3 Key Points

Validation of Data

Benchmark Administrator
All captured rates and fix rates are subject to a number of
The WM Company is the benchmark administrator for the

tolerance checks with the intent of determining benchmark

WM/Reuters Rates and thus has primary responsibility for all

rates that are reflective of the underlying market at a given

aspects of the benchmark determination process. This includes

time. WM performs tolerance checks at the time the data is

the development, determination and dissemination, operation

sourced and again after the calculation of the benchmark is

and governance of the Spot, Forward and Non Deliverable

complete. This may result in some captured data being

Forward Rate services. This methodology document provides a

excluded from the fix calculation.

summary of the methodology (including the validation process

specific systematic tolerances are reviewed periodically,

and certain tolerance checks applied therein) that WM uses to

annually as a minimum, by the WM Currency Review Group.

establish the benchmark rates. However, certain portions of the

This group supplements the routine monitoring and reporting

methodology and related intellectual property are proprietary

of the prevailing market dynamics performed by WM during

and confidential and are therefore not publicly disclosed.

the validation process by providing further scrutiny of the

Currency and tenor

inputs and ex-post analysis of trends and outliers. The WM


Active Market

Currency Review Group is tasked with effecting and


managing the change process with the intent of reflecting

WM recognises that to enable the publication of a meaningful

underlying market conditions.

benchmark a market in each currency pair represented by the


benchmark must genuinely exist, and that market must be
active. However, the economic realities of each applicable
currency market will dictate the relative meaning of what active
means, as market liquidity can vary greatly from a liquid major
currency to an extremely illiquid exotic currency for example,
and at particular times of the day. In certain cases, WM defines
an active market as having only a single source. A list of these
currencies can be provided upon request.

Governance and Transparency


WM is subject to a corporate risk framework which is based
on three lines of risk management; (i) business procedures
and

controls

are

designed

to

promote

consistency

throughout the process; (ii) the corporate risk framework


applies

independent

governance,

reporting

and

risk

management; and (iii) the Board of directors and relevant


subcommittee

are

responsible

for

oversight

of

the

benchmark rates, including reviewing and advising on the

policies

and

methodologies

by

which

WM

calculates,

administers and publishes the benchmark.

The European legacy currencies (ATS, BEF, CYP, DEM,


EEK, FRF, FIM, GRD, IEP, ITL, LTL, LUF, LVL, MTL, NLG,
PTE, ESP, SIT and SKK) are included, but these are derived

The WM Board has established a Benchmark Oversight

from the fixed conversion factor and the USD/EUR quote. An

Committee (the Oversight Committee) as a sub-committee of

example of this calculation is included under section 6.2. The

the Board to perform oversight over the Benchmarks and WM in

XEU (European Currency Unit ECU) is also included, but

its role as Benchmark administrator. The Oversight Committee

this is equal to the euro value.

Charter, which lists the responsibilities of the Oversight


Committee and its current members, is available here:

In addition to publishing rates at the hourly fixing times from

www.wmcompany.com. The Oversight Committee comprises

Monday 06:00 Hong Kong/Singapore time to Friday 22:00 UK

members selected by the WM board on the basis of their

time, there is also WM/Reuters Closing Spot Rates (4 p.m.

experience, knowledge and independence from the day to day

UK fix) history available since 1994 and the WM/Reuters

management of the benchmarks.

Intraday History available since 2001.

WM performs periodic due diligence on third parties and data

2.2 Timing

sources.

The normal calculation times are hourly from Monday 06:00

WM welcomes all enquiries with regards to the

determination of the benchmark.

Hong Kong/Singapore to Friday 22:00 in the UK, with halfhourly rates provided for the trade currencies only. See

Exercise of WM Employee Judgement

Section 2.3 for details of these trade currencies. The Tokyo

Employees of WM may exercise discretion with respect to the


use of data in determining a benchmark. The calculation of the
benchmark rate includes a validation process whereby, among
other steps, employees of WM review data and fix rates
pursuant to certain pre-determined tolerance checks. When
applying tolerance checks, an employee has discretion (subject

Fix is calculated at 9.55JST (00:55GMT), see section 2.7 for


details of the currencies covered.
Different calculation times may be used for reasons that
include the following:

to internal policies and procedures) to include or reject certain

policy on national holidays (see section 5.1).

data from the calculation of the benchmark rate. Based on


WMs experience interpreting market data, WM will use its own

judgement when it believes it necessary with the intent of

the source financial data.

particular, WM may rely on its own judgement more frequently


not be consistently available.

WM has in place internal

guidelines and quality control procedures that govern the


application of employee judgement and are intended to provide
consistency and oversight to this process.

Employees receive

training in how to comply with these guidelines and procedures.

An earlier or later time is chosen by WM due to


technical difficulties in receiving or failure in supply of

ensuring the quality and integrity of the benchmark rate. In


in an active albeit low liquidity market where transactions may

An earlier time is chosen by WM according to the

An earlier or later time is chosen by WM for particular


currencies due to special market conditions.

WMs target for completion of calculation and publication of the


service is 15 minutes after the fix time.
The rates fixed at 4 p.m. UK time are the Closing Spot rates.

SECTION 2 WM/REUTERS SPOT RATES

2.3 Sourcing

2.1 Coverage

Thomson Reuters Market Data System is the primary source

The rates are intended to cover the currencies for those

of the spot foreign exchange (FX) rates used in the

countries that are included in a global or regional stock market

calculation of the rates.

index or where there is sufficient liquidity in the currency market

exception where the appropriate rates are not available on

to provide accurate fixings. The addition of currencies not

the Thomson Reuters architecture. Presently, the Central

meeting these criteria will be at WMs discretion, and in theory,

Bank Spot Rate is used for a number of non-major

Other sources maybe used by

any world currency may be included.

currencies where there is no accurate alternative. A list of

The coverage of the WM/Reuters rates is shown under section


2.6, Closing and Intraday, and 2.7, Tokyo Fix.

these currencies is available on request.


WM determines the primary market on a per currency basis.

This is reviewed periodically and clients will be advised prior to

The following 17 currencies have Thomson Reuters dealing

any material change being made.

System as their primary source: AUD, CAD, CZK, DKK,


GBP, HKD, HUF, ILS, MXN, NOK, NZD, PLN, RON, SEK,

The underlying rates used are those deemed to be the most

SGD, TRY and ZAR. EBS is the primary source for RUB.

appropriate for foreign investment transactions.

The following three currencies have EBS as their primary

A different type of rate may be selected by WM for reasons that


include the following:

source, with Currenex as a secondary source: EUR, CHF


and JPY.

Commercial interbank bid and offer rates are not available

All other currencies not identified above as 'trade' currencies

for a particular currency.

can be assumed to be 'non trade'.

An official fixing is created that is more appropriate for

The choice of rates for any particular currency lies with WM

foreign investment transactions.

based on its own judgement. Other market sources may be

Wherever possible, a multi-contributor source of rates is used in

used by WM for quality control purposes.

preference to a single contributor unless an official fixing is


being used.

2.4 Calculation Method

The FX market is constantly monitored by capturing rates


Where data sufficiency is limited, WM will use its own

every 15 seconds and performing continuous and interactive

judgement to determine representative and meaningful market

validation.

rates.
The base currency for quoted rates selected from the

The captured market data is subject to currency specific

Thomson Reuters System is the US dollar or the euro,

systematic tolerance checks which will identify outlying data.

depending on which base currency is predominant. Presently,

Validation is performed on the outlying data by WM

currencies which are predominantly based against the euro are

Operations Specialists, who will seek corroboration, or rely

CHF, CZK, DKK, HUF, NOK, PLN, RON and SEK. All other

upon their own judgement to determine the market level. The

currencies are based against the US dollar. However, this may be

benchmark fix is then subject to further currency specific

changed for particular currencies if WM believes that more

tolerance checks prior to publication. The use of WMs own

appropriate or representative quotations are available

judgement may be appropriate to assess the validity of rates

against a different base currency.

throughout this process, with quality control guidelines and


procedures governing each application of such judgement.

It is a convention in the FX markets that some currencies are


quoted against the USD on an inverted basis. Normally, a local
currency is expressed per 1USD: for example, 1USD = x.xxxx
CAD. An inverted currency is expressed per local currency: for
example, 1GBP = x.xxxx USD. Normally, a local currency
amount would be divided by the exchange rate to get a USD
amount, but for inverted currencies, the local currency amount
is multiplied by the exchange rate to get a USD amount. This

2.4.1 Non-Trade Currencies

On the hour, the snapshots of the quoted rates, taken from


Thomson Reuters over a two-minute fix period, are
extracted. The median rates are then selected from these
individual snapshots for each currency. This is done
independently for bid and offer quotes. Further quality checks
are applied by WM to the median bid and offer rates.

convention applies only to rates quoted against the USD, not


rates quoted against any other currency. These inverted
currencies are GBP, EUR, AUD, NZD, IEP, BWP, SBD, TOP,
WST and XEU.

2.4.2 Trade Currencies

Over a one-minute fix period, bid and offer order rates from
the order matching systems and actual trades executed are

The following 21 currencies (AUD, CAD, CHF, CZK, DKK, EUR,

captured every second from 30 seconds before to 30

GBP, HKD, HUF, ILS, JPY, MXN, NOK, NZD, PLN, RON, RUB,

seconds after the time of the fix. Trading occurs in

SEK, SGD, TRY and ZAR) are referred to as Trade

milliseconds on the trading platforms and therefore not every

Currencies. Bona fide arms length transactional Trade and

trade or order is captured, just a sample.

Order rates are sourced from the following highly liquid

identified as a bid or offer and a spread is applied to

platforms; Thomson Reuters Dealing 3000, EBS and Currenex.

calculate the opposite bid or offer.

Trades are

The Trade and Order rates are used in the validation and
Using valid rates over the fix period, the median bid and offer

calculation of these currencies.

rates are calculated independently and then the mid-rate is

calculated from these median bid and offer rates, resulting in a

currencies, for example, XDR (Special Drawing Rights).

mid-trade rate and a mid-order rate. A spread is then applied to

All rates are published using standard market quotation

calculate a new trade rate bid and offer and a new order rate bid

conventions. ISO codes are used.

and offer. Subject to a minimum number of valid trades being


captured over the fix period, these new trade rates are used for

Bid, offer and mid rates are derived. Mid rates are calculated

the fix; if there are insufficient trade rates, the new order rates

as the arithmetic mean of rounded bid and offer rates. Bid

are used for the fix.

and offer rates are published to four decimal places; the mid
rates are published to five decimal places. Where a 5 is

Further quality checks are then applied with the intent of

encountered, the convention is to round up.

ensuring accurate fix rates are published.


2.5 Spot Rate Products

If neither trade rates nor order rates are available, the quoted
rates from Thomson Reuters are used, as they are for the nontrade currencies.
Notification of this change will be sent to clients advising the
absence of data from the trading platform. Wherever practicable,
WM will endeavour to provide this prior to the publication of the
fixing.

2.4.3 Local Close Currencies

For currencies where offshore trading is not permitted, the spot


rates are published in line with local market levels. This means
that when local markets are opened, the published spot rates will
reflect activity in that market. When the local market closes, the
spot rates published in each subsequent fix remain unchanged.
This impacts the following currencies. Please note that the
Open Time and Close Fix for each currency are subject to
change.
ISO

OPEN TIME

CLOSE FIX

CNY

01:15 GMT

09:00 GMT

IDR/IDT 01:15 GMT

09:00 GMT

INR

03:15 GMT

11:00 GMT

KRW

23:15 GMT

06:00 GMT

MYR

23:15 GMT

09:00 GMT

PHP

00:15 GMT

08:00 GMT

THB

00:15 GMT

10:00 GMT

TWD

00:15 GMT

07:00 GMT

The method of fixing the rates is protected by a patent awarded


in 2008, US serial 09/972,193.
Once the rates have been validated, cross rates to GBP and
EUR are calculated. An example of these calculations is
included under section 6.1. Cross rates to further base
currencies may be published, and if so, these will be calculated
using the same principles. The validation process used is
protected by the patent detailed above.

Certain rates are

calculated from other currencies or from proportions of other

Closing Spot Rates

Historical Spot Rates

Intraday Spot Rates

2.6 Coverage of Closing and Intraday Spot Rates

Coverage is currently in the following 160 currencies:


Europe
Albania Lek
Belgian Franc
Croatian Kuna
Danish Krone
Euro
Deutsche Mark
Iceland Krona
Latvian Lat
Macedonia Denar
Dutch Guilder
Portugese Escudo
Slovakian Koruna
British Pound
Turkish New Lira
Special Drawing Rights

ALL
BEF
HRK
DKK
EUR
DEM
ISK
LVL
MKD
NLG
PTE
SKK
GBP
TRY
XDR

Austrian Schilling
Bosnia Herzegovina Mark
Cyprus Pound
Estonian Kroon
Finnish Markka
Greek Drachma
Irish Punt
Lithuanian Litas
Maltese Lira
Norwegian Krone
Romanian Leu
Slovenian Tolar
Swedish Krona
Ukraine Hryvnia

ATS
BAM
CYP
EEK
FIM
GRD
IEP
LTL
MTL
NOK
RON
SIT
SEK
UAH

Belarus Ruble
Bulgarian Lev
Czech Koruna
ECU
French Franc
Hungarian Forint
Italian Lira
Luxembourg Franc
Moldova Leu
Polish Zloty
Russian Ruble
Spanish Peseta
Swiss Franc
Serbian Dinar

BYR
BGN
CZK
XEU
FRF
HUF
ITL
LUF
MDL
PLN
RUB
ESP
CHF
RSD

DZD
BWP
KMF
EGP
GHS
ILS
KWD
MGA
MUR
NAD
QAR
SCR
SDG
TND
YER
ZDN

Angola Kwanza
Burundi Franc
Congo Dem. Rep. Franc
Ethiopia Birr
Guinea Franc
Jordanian Dinar
Lebanese Pound
Malawi Kwacha
Moroccan Dirham
Nigerian Naira
Rwanda Franc
Sierra Leone Leone
Swaziland Lilangeni
UAE Dirham
New Zambian Kwacha

AOA
BIF
CDF
ETB
GNF
JOD
LBP
MWK
MAD
NGN
RWF
SLL
SZL
AED
ZMW

Bahrain Dinar
Central African Franc
Cote DIvorie Franc
Gambian Dalasi
Iran Rial
Kenyan Shilling
Lesotho Loti
Mauritanian Ouguiya
Mozambique Metical
Omani Rial
Saudi Arabian Riyal
South African Rand
Tanzania Shilling
Ugandan Shilling
Zimbabwe Dollar

BHD
XAF
XOF
GMD
IRR
KES
LSL
MRO
MZN
OMR
SAR
ZAR
TZS
UGX
ZWL

AUD
BTN
CNH
HKD
IDT
KGS
MVR
NZD
PGK
SGD
LKR
TOF
VUV

Azerbaijan Manat
Brunei Dollar
Fiji Islands Dollar
Indian Rupee
Japanese Yen
Macao Pataca
Mongolia Tugrik
Pacifique Franc
Philippine Peso
Solomon Islands Dollar
Taiwan Dollar
Tonga Paanga
Vietnam Dong

AZN
BND
FJD
INR
JPY
MOP
MNT
XPF
PHP
SBD
TWD
TOP
VND

Bangladesh Taka
Chinese R. Yuan
Georgia Lari
Indonesian Rupiah
Kazakhstan Tenge
Malaysian Ringgit
Nepal Rupee
Pakistani Rupee
Samoa Tala
South Korean Won
Thai Baht
Uzbekistan Som

BDT
CNY
GEL
IDR
KZT
MYR
NPR
PKR
WST
KRW
THB
UZS

ARS
BBD
BOB
KYD
CRC
XCD
GTQ
JMD
NIO
PEN
UYU

Aruba Guilder
Belize Dollar
Brazilian Real
Chilean Peso
Cuba Peso
Ecuadorian Sucre
Haiti Gourde
Mexican Peso
Panama Balboa
Surinam Dollar
US Dollar

AWG
BZD
BRL
CLP
CUP
ECS
HTG
MXN
PAB
SRD
USD

Bahamas Dollar
Bermudan Dollar
Canadian Dollar
Colombian Peso
Dominican Republic Peso
El Salvador Colon
Honduras Lempira
Netherlands Antilles Guilder
Paraguay Guarano
Trindad & Tobago Dollar
Venezuelan Bolivar

BSD
BMD
CAD
COP
DOP
SVC
HNL
ANG
PYG
TTD
VEF

Africa & Gulf


Algerian Dinar
Botswana Pula
Comoros Franc
Egyptian Pound
Ghana Cedi
Israeli Shekel
Kuwaiti Dinar
Malagasy Ariary
Mauritius Rupee
Namibia Dollar
Qatar Rial
Seychelles Rupee
Sudan Pound
Tunisian Dinar
Yemen Rial
Zim Dollar Notional

Asia-Pacific
Australian Dollar
Bhutan Ngultrum
Chinese R. Yuan HK
Hong Kong Dollar
Indonesian Onshore Traded
Kyrgystan Som
Maldives Rufiyaa
New Zealand Dollar
Papua NG Kina
Singapore Dollar
Sri Lanka Rupee
Thai Baht Offshore
Vanuatu Vatu

Americas
Argentine Peso
Barbados Dollar
Bolivian Boliviano
Cayman Islands Dollar
Costa Rica Colon
East Caribbean Dollar
Guatemala Quetzal
Jamaica Dollar
Nicaragua Gold Cordoba
Peru New Sol
Uruguay Peso

2.7 Coverage of Tokyo Fix

Coverage is currently in the following 24 currencies:


Europe
Czech Koruna
Hungarian Forint
Romanian Leu
Swedish Krone

CZK
HUF
RON
SEK

Danish Krone
Norwegian Krone
Russian Rouble
Swiss Franc

DKK
NOK
RUB
CHF

ILS

South African Rand

ZAR

AUD
JPY
THB

Chinese R. Yuan HK
New Zealand Dollar

CNH
NZD

CAD

Mexican Peso

MXN

Euro
Polish Zloty
Sterling
New Turkish Lira

EUR
PLN
GBP
TRY

Africa & Gulf


Israeli Shekel

Asia-Pacific
Australian Dollar
Japanese Yen
Thai Baht

Hong Kong Dollar


Singapore Dollar

HKD
SGD

Americas
Canadian Dollar

US Dollar

USD

SECTION 3 WM/REUTERS FORWARD RATES


3.1 Coverage

3.3 Sourcing

The rates are intended to cover the currencies for those


countries where a significant level of forward trading exists in
the countrys currency and where forward quotes are reliably
available on Thomson Reuters.

The Thomson Reuters Market Data System is the sole source of


the forward FX rates used in the calculation of the rates. Other
sources may be used by exception where the appropriate rates
are not available on the Thomson Reuters architecture System.

The coverage is presently 81 currencies and is periodically


reviewed as more information is made available in the market.

As far as possible, the underlying rates used are those deemed


to be the most appropriate for foreign investment transactions.
These will normally be commercial interbank bid and offer
premiums or discounts.

Bid, offer and mid rates against the USD, GBP and EUR are
provided. A list of currencies covered is under section 3.6.

A different type of rate may be selected by WM if commercial


interbank bid and offer rates are not available for a particular
currency.

The time periods covered for the forward rates are:


ON

Overnight

TN

Tomorrow Next

SW

Spot Week (One Week)

1M

One Month

2M

Two Months

3M

Three Months

6M

Six Months

9M

Nine Months

1Y

One Year

2Y

Two Years (Some Currencies Only)

5Y

Five Years (Some Currencies Only)

The base currency for rates selected from the Thomson


Reuters System will normally be the US dollar. However, this
may be changed for particular currencies if WM believes that
more appropriate or representative quotations are available
against a different base currency.
The choice of rates for any particular currency lies with
WM and other market sources are used by WM for quality
control purposes.
Some currencies are NDF (Non-Deliverable Forwards). The
premium/discount NDF currencies, included in the Forwards
services are ARS, BRL, CLP, COP, EGP and PEN. Also, due
to there being distinct onshore and offshore forward rates
for SGD, we provide offshore rates. For Thailand, we provide
both onshore rates, THB, and offshore rates, TOF.

3.2 Timing

The rates are intended to be intraday and closing rates. The


normal calculation times are hourly from 06:00 to 21:00 UK time
Monday to Friday. In addition, WM publishes at 17:00 hours
New York time, 10:00 hours Sydney time, 14:00 hours New
Zealand time, 11:00 hours Singapore time, 11:00 Bangkok time
and 16:00 hours Sydney time.

Where data sufficiency is limited, WM will use its own


judgement to determine representative and meaningful market
rates.

A different calculation time may be used for reasons that include


the following:

WM also provides outright NDF Rate services, detailed in


section 4.

An earlier time is chosen by WM according to the policy


on national holidays (see section 5.2).

An earlier or later time is chosen by WM due to technical


difficulties in receiving or failure in supply of the source
financial data.

An earlier or later time is chosen by WM for particular


currencies due to special market conditions.

WMs target time for the publication of the service is 30


minutes after the fix time.
The rates fixed at 4 p.m. UK time are the Closing Forward
rates.

3.4 Calculation Method

3.4.1 Local Close Currencies

The FX Forward market is constantly monitored by capturing


rates every 2 minutes and performing continuous and
interactive validation. The captured market data is subject to
currency specific systematic tolerance checks which identify
outlying data. Validation is performed on the outlying data by
WM Operations Specialists, who will seek corroboration, or rely
upon their own judgement to determine the market level. On
the hour a snapshot of quoted rates is taken for each tenor,
and considered the benchmark fix, subject to further currency
specific tolerance checks prior to publication.

For currencies where offshore trading is not permitted, the


forward rates are published in line with local market levels.
This means that when local markets are opened, the published
forward rates will reflect activity in that market. When the local
market closes, the forward rates published in each subsequent
fix remain unchanged.
This impacts the following currencies. Please note that the
Open Time and Close Fix for each currency are subject
to change.

The use of such judgement may be appropriate to assess the


validity of rates throughout this process, with quality control
guidelines and procedures governing each application of such
judgement.
Once the rates have been validated, premiums and discounts
to GBP and EUR are calculated using the outright forward
rates; an example of this is under section 6.3. Legacy currency
premium/discounts are calculated using the fixed euro
conversion rates; an example is shown under section 6.4.
Further base currencies may be published, and if so, these will
be calculated using the same principles.

ISO

OPEN TIME

CLOSE FIX

CNY
IDR
INR
KRW
MYR
PHP
THB
TWD

01:15
01:15
03:15
23:15
23:15
00:15
00:15
00:15

09:00 GMT
09:00 GMT
11:00 GMT
06:00 GMT
09:00 GMT
08:00 GMT
10:00 GMT
07:00 GMT

GMT
GMT
GMT
GMT
GMT
GMT
GMT
GMT

The method of fixing the rates is protected by a patent awarded


in 2008, US serial 20020042765.

3.5 Forward Rate Products

All forward rates are published using premiums or discounts


that can be directly added to the spot rate to provide an outright
forward rate. Note that ON and TN premiums/discounts should
be subtracted from the spot rate to calculate an outright forward
rate. ISO codes are used.
All forward rates (bid, offer and mid) are rounded to five
decimal places after the decimal point. Where a 5 is
encountered, the convention is to round up.

Closing Forward Rates

Historical Forward Rates

Intraday Forwards Rates

3.6 Coverage of Forward Rates

Coverage is currently in the following 81 currencies:


Europe
Austrian Schilling
Croatian Kuna
Danish Krone
Euro
Deutsche Mark
Iceland Krona
Latvian Lat
Dutch Guilder
Portuguese Escudo
Serbian Dinar
Spanish Peseta
Swiss Franc

ATS
HRK
DKK
EUR
DEM
ISK
LVL
NLG
PTE
RSD
ESP
CHF

Belgian Franc
Cyprus Pound
Estonian Kroon
Finnish Markka
Greek Drachma
Irish Punt
Lithuanian Litas
Norwegian Krone
Romanian Leu
Slovakian Koruna
British Pound
New Turkish Lira

BEF
CYP
EEK
FIM
GRD
IEP
LTL
NOK
RON
SKK
GBP
TRY

Bulgarian Lev
Czech Koruna
Ecu
French Franc
Hungarian Forint
Italian Lira
Maltese Lira
Polish Zloty
Russian Rouble
Slovenian Tolar
Swedish Krone
Ukraine Hryvnia

BGN
CZK
XEU
FRF
HUF
ITL
MTL
PLN
RUB
SIT
SEK
UAH

BHD
GHS
KES
OMR
ZAR
UGX

Botswana Pula
Israeli Shekel
Kuwaiti Dinar
Qatar Rial
Tunisian Dinar
New Zambian Kwacha

BWP
ILS
KWD
QAR
TND
ZMW

Egyptian Pound
Jordanian Dinar
Moroccan Dirham
Nigerian Naira
Saudi Arabian Riyal
UAE Dirham

EGP
JOD
MAD
NGN
SAR
AED

AUD
HKD
JPY
NZD
SGD
TWD
VND

Chinese R. Yuan
Indian Rupee
Kazakhstan Tenge
Pakistani Rupee
S. Korean Won
Thai Baht

CNY
INR
KZT
PKR
KRW
THB

Chinese R. Yuan HK
Indonesian Rupiah
Malaysian Ringgit
Philippine Peso
Sri Lanka Rupee
Thai Baht Offshore

CNH
IDR
MYR
PHP
LKR
TOF

ARS
CLP
PEN

Brazilian Real
Colombian Peso
US Dollar

BRL
COP
USD

Canadian Dollar
Mexican Peso

CAD
MXN

Africa & Gulf


Bahrain Dinar
Ghana Cedi
Kenyan Shilling
Omani Rial
South African Rand
Ugandan Shilling

Asia-Pacific
Australian Dollar
Hong Kong Dollar
Japanese Yen
New Zealand Dollar
Singapore Dollar
Taiwan Dollar
Vietnam Dong

Americas
Argentine Peso
Chilean Peso
Peru New Sol

10

4.3 Sourcing

SECTION 4 WM/REUTERS NDF RATES

Thomson Reuters Market Data System is the sole source of


NDF FX rates used in the calculation of the NDF rates. Other
sources may be used by exception where the appropriate
rates are not available on the Thomson Reuters architecture.

4.1 Coverage

The rates are intended to cover the emerging market currencies


that do not allow trading out with the local market.
The coverage is presently 11 currencies and is periodically
reviewed as more information is made available. Bid, offer and
mid outright rates are published against USD, GBP and EUR.
A list of currencies covered is under section 4.6.

As far as possible, the underlying rates used are those


deemed to be the most appropriate for foreign investment
transactions. These will normally be commercial interbank bid
and offer NDF.

The time periods covered for NDF rates are:

The base currency for rates selected from the Thomson


Reuters System will normally be the US dollar. However this
may be changed for particular currencies if WM believes more
appropriate or representative quotations are available against
a different base currency.

SW

Spot Week (One Week)

1M

One Month

2M

Two Months

3M

Three Months

6M

Six Months

9M

Nine Months

1Y

One Year

2Y

Two Years (Some Currencies Only)

5Y

Five Years (Some Currencies Only)

The choice of rates for any particular currency lies with WM


and other market sources are used by WM for quality control
purposes. Where data sufficiency is limited, WM will use its
own judgement to determine representative and meaningful
market rates
4.4 Calculation Method

4.2 Timing

The FX Non Deliverable Forward market is constantly


monitored by capturing rates every 2 minutes and performing
continuous and interactive validation. The captured market
data is subject to currency specific systematic tolerance
checks which identify outlying data. Validation is performed on
the outlying data by WM Operations Specialists, who will seek
corroboration, or rely upon their own judgement to determine
the market level. On the hour a snapshot of quoted rates is
taken for each tenor, and considered the benchmark fix,
subject to further currency specific tolerance checks prior to
publication.

The rates are intended to be intraday and closing rates. The


normal calculation times are hourly from 06:00 to 21:00 UK time
Monday to Friday. In addition, we publish at 17:00 hours New
York time, 10:00 hours Sydney time, 14:00 hours New Zealand
time, 11:00 hours Singapore time, 11:00 Bangkok time and 16:00
hours Sydney time.
A different calculation time may be used for reasons that include:

An earlier time is chosen by WM according to the policy on


national holidays (see section 5.2).

An earlier or later time is chosen by WM due to technical

The use of WMs own judgement may be appropriate to


assess the validity of rates throughout this process, with
quality control guidelines and procedures governing each
application of such judgement.

difficulties in receiving or failure in supply of the source


financial data.

An earlier or later time is chosen by WM for particular


currencies due to special market conditions.

Once the rates have been validated, outright rates to GBP and
EUR are calculated; an example of this is under section 6.5.

WMs target for completion of calculation and publication of


the service is 30 minutes after the fix times.

All NDF rates (bid, offer and mid) are rounded to five decimal
places after the decimal point. Where a 5 is encountered, the
convention is to round up.

The rates fixed at 4 p.m. UK time are the Closing NDF rates.

The method of fixing the rates is protected by a patent awarded


in 2008, US serial 2002-0042765.
4.5 NDF Rate Products

11

Closing NDF Rates

Historical NDF Rates

Intraday NDF Rates

4.6 Coverage of NDF Rates

5.2 Disruption to Service

Coverage is currently in the following 11 currencies:

WM has robust controls and resilience architecture in place


and where necessary, WM will invoke these controls to
minimise any disruption to the service. WM has procedures in
place to minimise the impact of a potential failover, but in
exceptional circumstances it may not be possible for WM to
produce an accurate benchmark rate. When this arises WM
will notify clients as early as possible. Following any such
incident, WM will undertake a full investigation and consider
any remediation steps identified.

Asia-Pacific
Chinese R. Yuan
Indonesian Rupiah
Malaysian Ringgit
South Korean Won

CNYNDF
IDRNDF
MYRNDF
KRWNDF

Indian Rupee
INRNDF
Kazakhstan Tenge KZTNDF
Philippine Peso
PHPNDF
Taiwanese Dollar TWDNDF

Africa & Gulf


Nigerian Naira

NGNNDF

5.3 Disruption to FX Rates


Europe
Russian Rouble

RUBNDF

Ukraine Hryvnia

WM appreciates that economic realities could from time to


time disrupt normal market conditions and could create
unusually illiquid or fragmented markets. When this occurs
WM will use reasonable effort to provide an email notification
to clients advising the nature and impact of the disruption. If
you wish to receive these notifications please contact:
wmreuters.sales@wmcompany.com.

UAHNDF

SECTION 5 THE SPOT & FORWARD RATES


5.1 Policy on National Holidays

The fixings will be produced on all weekdays of the year, subject


to the policy detailed below. For further information, there is a
schedule available that covers the service alterations up to five
years in advance. Please visit our website for more information.

Where the disruption extends into the longer term, WM will


use commercially reasonable efforts to identify additional
solutions to provide a benchmark rate which is representative
of the market.

On national holiday dates, the principle is that the rates should be


fixed at the normal times up to the latest fix time possible without
compromising the quality of the rates.

5.4 Cessation

WM accepts that it may be necessary to terminate the


calculation and publication of a benchmark, currency or tenor
currently provided within the WM/Reuters service. This may be
due to external factors beyond WMs control, for example a
market structure change or to a deterioration of data sufficiency.
WM will consult with subscribers and work to identify whether a
credible alternative which continues to represent the underlying
interest can be identified.

In practice, national holidays in the following four financial centres


will be monitored in advance: US, UK, Germany and Japan.
WM/Reuters Closing Spot and Forward Rates will be produced as
normal if two or more of these centres are open. WM/Reuters
Intraday Spot and Forward Rates may not be produced for all
fixings in any day if one or more of these financial centres are
closed.

If a credible alternative is identified then WM will endeavour to


assess the viability of that alternative fully, again consulting with
subscribers, as appropriate. If cessation is unavoidable WM will
endeavour to assist subscribers in the selection process of an
alternative benchmark. Contracts and other financial
instruments that reference a benchmark need robust
contingency provisions in the event of material changes to, or
cessation of, the referenced benchmark. Please refer to our
Cessation of Rates Policy, which is available on WMs website,
for further information.

If only one centre is open, the normal policy will be that no fixings
will be produced and the rates from the previous fixing would be
used. However, if such a situation occurs on a month- end, then
further analysis will be carried out as to other markets that are
open and a decision taken as to whether or not to produce fixings.
Special circumstances may arise on the last weekdays prior to
Christmas and New Years where although markets are open,
they may close early and therefore be illiquid at some normal
fixing times. Under these circumstances, WM may take a decision
to revert to an earlier fixing with the intent of ensuring the integrity
of the rates.

5.5 Complaints Procedure

Clients are invited to raise price challenges or other queries or


complaints through our mailbox fx.rates@wmcompany.com.
Each price challenge will be investigated in line with our Price
Challenge and Complaints Handling Policy, which is available
on WMs website. Other inquiries and complaints will be
addressed pursuant to the appropriate internal guidelines or
policies.

12

5.8 Delivery Methods

5.6 Republication of Rates

Under exceptional circumstances, it may be necessary to


amend the rates for one or more currencies after publication.
This will be determined by WM, after consultation with key
users, if appropriate. Under no circumstances will the
WM/Reuters Spot or Forward Rates for one day be amended
after the publication of the following weekdays rates at the
same publication time.

All services are available directly from WM on an hourly or


daily basis utilising Web-based technology. These delivery
methods range from e-mail to faster methods for timecritical applications.
Also, the services are available via a range of data
distributors including (in alphabetical order):

All material evidence will be retained as part of our


Republication Policy, which is available on WMs website.
5.7 Changes to Methodology and Service

From time to time WM may be required to make a material


change to the methodology, including changes to its tolerances
and validation process. A material methodology change is
defined as a change which fundamentally alters the process by
which a benchmark rate is calculated. A service change includes
an amendment to currency coverage and the availability of
particular fixes.
Prior to a methodology or service change WM's Research and
Development team will perform due diligence on the rationale for
the proposed change and will consult with subscribers, where
appropriate, before finalising the Proposal report. In addition,
this report will be presented to the Benchmark Oversight
Committee, who will review it and make a recommendation to
the WM board of directors, prior to any material changes being
made to the methodology or service.
We endeavour to provide a reasonable notice period of any
change to our methodology or service, up to 90 days wherever
practicable.
For more information on changes to our methodology or service,
please refer to our Changes to the Methodology or Service
Policy, which is available on WMs website.

13

Bloomberg

Fininfo

Interactive Data Pricing and Reference Data

Linedata

Markit

Morningstar

Nomura Research Institute

NTT Data Financial

Proquote

Rimes Technologies

Six Financial Information

SunGard GL Trade

Thomson Reuters (Including Datastream)

SunGard Asset Arena Pricing Services (Valuelink)

6.2 EMU Legacy Spot Rates

SECTION 6 CROSS CALCULATIONS

The same principle applies for all legacy currencies.

6.1 Crossed Spot Rates

DEM is used in the formulas below:

6.1.1 For Currencies Quoted in Units to USD


(For Example, CAD)

USD/DEM Bid Rate Calculation

Invert the EUR/USD offer rate; this now becomes

Sterling Cross Calculation

GBP/CAD bid

(USD/CAD bid)

(GBP/USD bid)

GBP/CAD offer

(USD/CAD offer)

(GBP/USD offer)

(USD/CAD bid)

(EUR/USD bid)

(USD/CAD offer)

(EUR/USD offer)

the USD/EUR bid.


Then:

Euro Cross Calculation

EUR/CAD bid

EUR/CAD offer =

USD/DEM bid

USD/EUR bid

EUR fixed
conversion rate

USD/DEM Offer Rate Calculation

Invert the EUR/USD bid rate; this now becomes the


6.1.2 For Currencies Quoted in USD per Unit
(For Example, AUD)

USD/EUR offer rate.

Sterling Cross Calculation

Then:

GBP/AUD bid

(GBP/USD bid)

(AUD/USD offer)

GBP/AUD offer

(GBP/USD offer)

(AUD/USD bid)

USD/DEM offer =

USD/EUR offer

EUR fixed
conversion rate

Euro Cross Calculation

EUR/AUD bid

(EUR/USD bid)

(AUD/USD offer)

6.3 Crossed Forward Rates

EUR/AUD offer

(EUR/USD offer)

(AUD/USD bid)

Example of How to Calculate the GBP/CAD 1M (One Month)


Bid Premium/Discount

6.1.3 For Currencies Quoted in Units to EUR


(For Example, CHF)

Use the bid rate for all of the following calculations:

USD Cross Calculation

USD/CHF bid

(EUR/CHF bid)

(EUR/USD offer)

USD/CHF offer

(EUR/CHF offer)

(EUR/USD bid)

spot rate
= the USD/CAD 1M outright forward rate

Sterling Cross Calculation

GBP/CHF bid

GBP/CHF offer =

(USD/CHF bid)

(GBP/USD bid)

(USD/CHF offer)

(GBP/USD offer)

Add the USD/CAD 1M premium/discount to the USD/CAD

Add the GBP/USD 1M premium/discount to the GBP/USD


spot rate.
= the GBP/USD 1M outright forward rate

Multiply these two outright forward rates together


= the GBP/CAD 1M outright rate

GBP/CAD 1M outright forward rate GBP/CAD spot rate


= GBP/CAD 1M premium/discount

Therefore:

USD/CAD 1M premium/discount bid + USD/CAD spot bid


= USD/CAD 1M outright rate bid

GBP/USD 1M premium/discount bid + GBP/USD spot bid


= GBP/USD 1M outright rate bid

USD/CAD 1M outright rate bid * GBP/USD 1M outright rate bid


= GBP/CAD 1M outright rate bid

GBP/CAD 1M outright rate bid GBP/CAD spot bid


= GBP/CAD 1M premium/discount bid

14

6.4 EMU Legacy Forward Rates

6.5 Crossed NDF Rates

Example of How to Calculate the USD/DEM 1M

Example of How to Calculate the GBP/CNYNDF 1M Bid Outright

Bid Premium/Discount

Use the bid rate for all of the following calculations:

Add the EUR/USD 1M ask premium/discount to the

EUR/USD ask spot rate

GBP/USD spot rate

= the EUR/USD 1M outright ask forward rate

= the GBP/USD 1M outright forward rate

Invert EUR/USD; this ask figure now becomes the bid

= USD/EUR 1M outright bid forward rate

Multiply the newly created USD/EUR bid rate and the


EUR/DEM fixed conversion rate
= the USD/DEM 1M outright bid rate

Therefore:

Multiply USD/CNYNDF 1M outright bid * GBP/USD 1M outright bid


= GBP/CNYNDF 1M outright rate

Therefore:
GBP/USD 1M premium/discount bid + GBP/USD spot bid
= GBP/USD 1M outright bid

USD/DEM 1M outright bid rate USD/DEM spot bid rate


= USD/DEM 1M bid premium/discount rate

Add the GBP/USD 1M premium/discount to the

USD/CNYNDF 1M outright rate bid * GBP/USD


1M outright bid
= GBP/CNYNDF 1M outright rate bid

EUR/USD 1M premium/discount ask + EUR/USD spot ask


= EUR/USD 1M outright rate ask

USD/EUR * EUR/DEM conversion rate


= USD/DEM 1M outright bid

USD/DEM 1M outright rate bid USD/DEM spot bid rate


= USD/DEM 1M bid premium/discount forward rate

For more information

If you would like to learn more about the WM/Reuters Rates


Service, please visit our website or contact us by telephone or
e-mail. A service representative will be available 24 hours a day
from Monday 06:00 Hong Kong/Singapore until Friday 22:00
UK time.

FX Team

fx.rates@wmcompany.com
Phone: +44 (0)131 315 5515
Client Relations Team

wmreuters.sales@wmcompany.com
Phone: +44 (0)131 315 5881
www.wmcompany.com

WM Company is a registered trademark and a business of State Street Corporation. This document is a general marketing communication. It is not intended to suggest or recommend any investment
or investment strategy and does not constitute investment research. This document is confidential and is intended for distribution to professional investors. This document is not directed at retail
customers. Products and services outlined in this document are offered to professional investors through WM Company. The products and services may not be available in all jurisdictions. Please
contact your sales representative for further information

2012 THE WORLD MARKETS COMPANY PLC., A STATE STREET BUSINESS Updated January2015.

12-15689-1112

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